Sprinkler



Jan. 6

SPRINKLER Filed Dec. l5, 1921 ACH 2 sheets-s eet 1 Jan. 6, 1925.

F. E. ROACH SPRINKLER Filed Decl 15, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 of one of the nozzle valves;

Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

UNITED STATES FIN'IS E. ROACH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOI S.

srnmxnna.

Application filed'December 15, 1921. Serial No. 522,614.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, FINIs E. ROMZII, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago. in the eountuof Cook and State of Tllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sprinklers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise," and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification.

y invention relates to a sprinkler which is so constructed that it may be readily adjusted to meet the peculiar watering requireinents of anyportion of a lawn, parkway, flower bed, or the like.

Among its objects my invention contemplates the provision of a sprinkler comprising a plurality of nozzles which are individually adjustable, both with respect to the character of their respective sprays, and with respect to the directions in which said sprays are discharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler that will operate properly under all water pressures.

Al further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler comprising stationary and movable elements in combination with an extremely simple and effective device for locking the movable elements in any desired relation to the stationary elements when occasion re uires.

A still urther object of the invention is to provide a novel and adjustable connection between the nozzles and the arms by which the are carried, and to provide simple and e ective means for retaining each of the nozzles in any one of a multiplicity of adjustments.

, Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved sprinkler;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fi ure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1';

Figure-:4 is a fragmentarysectional view taken on the line 14; of, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isolated view in perspective Figure 6 is an elevational view of one of the nozzles as it'appears when viewed from a position within the area of the sprays discharged thereby; Y I

' Figure 7 is a'horizonta section taken on line 7- 7 of Figure 6; and s Figure 8 is an isolated view in perspective of the device employed for locking the noz zles against rotation around a common center.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, reference n'umeral 10 indicates a base plate which is formed integral with the ground engaging elements 1111. Also formed integral with plate 10 is a hollow fitting 12 comprising an internally threaded laterally projecting portion 13 which is adapted to co-operate with a suitable hose coupling (not shown). Formed in the top of fitting 12 is a vertical bore 14, which is internally threaded to cooperate with the externally threaded lower end of a hollow spindle 15. Fitting 12 isprovided with an internal annular shoulder 12, which by its engagement with the lower end of spindle 15 limits the extent to which the latter may be threaded into the fitting 12. Spindle 15 is tightly threaded into fitting 12.

Disposed around spindle 15 is ahub 16,

having a smooth vertical bore within which the un-threaded cylindrical surface of the spindle has a snug rotating fit. The-hub has an annular shoulder 16 which (Jo-operates with the annular flange 15 at the upper end of the spindle 15. The spindle 15 is inserted into the hub through the opening 16 in the top of said hub. Tightly threaded into the opening 16 is a plug or nut 17.

Disposed around spindle 15 and located between fitting 12 and hub 16, is an annulus 18, the annulus being provided with internal screw threads whichco-operate with the external screw threads of spindle 15. The annulus is provided with a handle 18, which preferably lies over the offset ortion 13 of fitting 12. A washer 19 is pre erably disposed around spindle 15, betwen the'an nulus and the hub 16.

Radiating horizontally from'the hub 16,

' ternally threaded upturned portion I now direct attention to the nozzles 21-21, there being one of these nozzles associated with the upturned extremity of each of the arms 20. Each nozzle comprises a pair of integral angularly disposed portions 22 and 23, the portion 23 being disposed at an angle of substantially tothe vertical and being provided at its upper end v with a discharge orifice of-each nozzle is provided with a vertical bore 25, which is threaded at its lower end (Figure 4) to co-operate with the externally threaded upturned portion of the arm by which the nozzle is carried. Each nozzle portion 22 is provided with an internal shoulder 26, and disposed between this shoulder and the upper end of the adjacent upturned arm portion 20*, is a compression spring 26. Each spring 26 is normally under compression, and hence serves to retain its associated nozzle at any desired adjustment, within a full range of 360, with respect to the upturned arm portion 20 by which the nozzle is carried.

Nozzle portion 23, in each instance, is provided with a bore and counter bore indicated at 27 and 28 respectively. Bore 27 is threaded at the end thereof adjacent to the bore 28. Disposed in each of the nozzle members 23 is an orifice controlling device. This device comprises a valve 29 formed integral with stem 30. The stem in each case is enlarged in diameter at 31, and is again enlarged in diameter at 32, andis provided with a suitable milled operatinghandle 33 The portion 31 of thelcontrolling device is threaded to co-operate with the threads of bore 27. Portion 32 is unthreaded' but fits snugly in bore 28. At'34' I have illustrated a compression, spring which is located in bore 28, and disposed around valve stem portion 31. One-end of the spring 34 abuts against the shoulder at the junction of differential bores 27 and 28, and the other end of the spring bears against valve stem portion 32. By suitable manipulation of the handle 33, the valve may be caused variably to restrict the orifice 24, the spring retaining the valve in any desired adjustment.

Each of the nozzles 21 is provided with a pair 01? hollow bosses 34-34, the interiors of the bosses having free communication with the space within the nozzle portion 22. By

" reference. to Figure 7, it will be noted. that the bosses 3434 are rendered hollow by passing a drill through one boss and partially through the other boss, a plug 35 being employed to prevent escape of water through the outer end of that one of the bosses through which the drill is passed. A semi-circular saw cut 36 is formed in each Of 24. The portion 22 the bosses 34, the sawcuts of the bosses of each nozzle being adapted to discharge fan-shaped sprays in the general direction of the spray discharged from the orifice 24 of each nozzle.

Water entering the fitting 12 under-pressure rises through spindle 15, to the space in the upper portion of hub 16. The pressure of the water naturally tends to hold the hub shoulder 16 snugly in contact with the spindle flange 15, but this tendency is, to a considerable extent. ofi'set by the fact that the water pressure. in the upper portion of the hub 16 is relieved bythe lateral escape of Water through hollow arms 20-20. The water entering the space in the upper portion of the hub tends to move the hub upwardly on spindle 15 and out of frictional contact with washer 19, the pressure within the hub, however, being prevented from becoming sufiiciently great .to cause undue friction between flange 15 and shoulder 16. Thus the device of my invention will operate successfully, regardless of whether it is con nected with a low or high pressure water supply. v

Some of the water which passes through arms 20-20 is discharged from the orifice 24 of each of the adjustable nozzles 21 in the form of fine or. heavy spray, depending upon controls such orifice. The rest of the water is discharged in the form of fan-shaped sprays from the saw-cuts 36 in the bosses 34.

The sprinkler of my invention may be readily adapted to meet the particular requirements of any particular plot to be watered. I shall describe briefly some of the adjustments which are often found desirable.

In watering a straight, narrow parkway, the adjustable nozzles may be positioned as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. With the ad justable nozzles so disposed. allot the water from the several nozzles falls comparatively close to a straight line .co-incident with the longitudinal axes of the arm 20-20. The length and width of the area watered can be regulated to a nicety by adjustment of the valves of the nozzles 21-21. In some cases where it is desirable to water a comparatively smallarea, each of the nozzles 21 may be turned through an angle of 180 from the positions illustrated in Figure 1. In such a case, the sprays from orifices '24 of the nozzles 2121 intercept each other. each spray tending to diffuse the other. In this case, the area in immediate proximity ,to the sprinkler isv thoroughly watered with a finely divided spray.

In watering an L shaped parkway, one of the nozzles may be placed in the position shown in Figure 1, the other nozzle being turned through an angle of substantially 90 from the position shown in Figure 1.

the adjustment of the valve 29, which I held against rotation under the torquegre- .sulting from the discharge of water.

In a case Where it is desirable to watera parkway or other area which lies on but one side of the sprinkler. the adjustable nozzles 2121 may be so adjusted that they both discharge in the same direction, or in the same general direction. Frequently, it is desirable to have both of the nozzles 21 discharging on the same side of the sprinkler, but in converging lines, so that their sprays are mutually diffusing.

It will be understood, of course, that with the annulus 18 in non-locking position, the nozzles 2121 may be givena variety of positions in which the hub 16 and parts carried thereby will turn under the torque resulting from the discharge of water from either one or both of the nozzles 21-21. In such cases, the valves of nozzles 21'21 may be individually adjusted to determine the speed of rotation and the diameter of the area sprinkled.

I shall not attempt to describe all of the great variety of relative adjustments which may be given the several elements of my sprinkler in order to fulfill the watering requirements of areas which are characteristically different with respect to shape, size or location. Suffice it will to say that the construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described renders the device of my invention adaptable to suit the needs of any particular case.

-The fact that the sprays from the slots 36 may be directed upwardly and laterally away from the arms 20-20 as illustrated is a feature of advantage. As the discharge from the slots 36 is in the general direction in which the associated nozzles 21 point, the devicevmay be located adjacent a passageway, the nozzles pointing the same way, to water lawns and the like up to the passageway without sprinklin the same. When thus operated, it is poss'b e to approach the device to change its position without the necessity of shutting ofl" the water.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish to have it understood that I do not limit myself to the specific construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but wish to cover all similar or equivalent constructions falling withih the terms or spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of theclass described, the combination with a fitting adapted for connection with a hose or the like, a threaded opening in the top of said fitting, a hollow spindle threaded into said opening, a hollow h'ub. mounted on said fitting for rotation thereon, said' hub and said .spindle being provided with co-operatingshoulders which prevent'the former from lifting off of the latter, hollow arms radiating from the hub and communicatin therewith, nozzles car-' ried by and supp led with water through said arms, and means for locking the hub with respect to said fitting, said locking means comprising an annulus threaded upon said spindle and disposed between said hub and saidfitting.

2. In a lawn sprinkler, the combination of v a hollow rotatable hub, means for mounting said hub and for supplying water thereto, a plurality of; hollow arms radiating from said hub and communicating with the interior thereof, nozzles carried at the outer ends of said arms and communicating therewith, said nozzles being mounted obliquely at an angle of approximately 45 and relatively adjustable, and adapted in one position thereof to discharge streams of water that contact substantially at right angles and are diflused ata .point lying above the points at which the water is ischarged;

means for maintaining each of said nozzles in its adjusted position, said last mentioned means comprising an internal shoulder and a compression springflocated in said nozzle, said spring being adapted to be compressed between the end of one of said hollow arms. and said internal shoulder.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day of December, 1921.

. FINIS E. ROAGH.

Witnesses:

ALBUR C. AHLBERG, EDNA V.'Gt!srArsoN. 

